Posted for John’s Cellpic Sunday
First green
Category: Captures from Finland
This contains photographs of my home country, places dear to me. That I proudly share.
The rules are to be broken
For Debbie’s Six Words Saturday.
Lens-Artists Challenge #345 – My Go-To Places
This week, John is guiding us through the My Go-To Places challenge, and I believe many of you can easily guess my answer. I’ve mentioned it on numerous occasions before: they are simply my home and my summer house. These serene spots allow me to just be myself.
This path takes me to a serene location surrounded by nature. Just this past Easter, I visited there. The scenery was not yet vibrant with greenery; instead, it appeared more brown and dreary. However, the melody of the birds chirping was beautifully powerful and soothing.
Summer green, a hue renowned for its calming properties, envelops me in a serene embrace here. As I sit n oone of my favorite places, I observe the gentle wind dancing through the leaves, accompanied by the vast expanse of blue skies overhead. The melodious sounds of nature create a symphony around me, wrapping me in tranquility—there are no problems to solve, only the bliss of the moment to savor.
With the arrival of early autumn, the enchanting mist that blankets the mornings and evenings creates a mesmerizing atmosphere, while the skies transform into a stunning palette of colors. It’s an absolute delight to seize the opportunity and take your camera along for an outing, ensuring that these beautiful moments are captured forever.
Lakeside, where the gentle sound of water caresses the shore and the vibrant yellows of autumn paint the landscape, offers a serene escape into nature. It’s here that I find my sanctuary, a place to reset and rejuvenate. My summer house is my primary retreat, where I spend most of my time during the pleasant seasons that invite outdoor activities. While winter holds its own beauty, I prefer to stay indoors, as the cold air isn’t my favorite companion. As the saying goes, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished,” reminding me to embrace the tranquility that surrounds me.
I sat in my living room beside my grandson, having just snapped a few photos of him. With my mobile in hand, I captured the very spot on my sofa where I’ve spent countless calm and peaceful moments, gazing out at the changing seasons through the window. I’ve watched deer, hares, and foxes stroll by, and even glimpsed a moose once, while birds soared and squirrels scampered along the fence. This corner of my home is truly one of my favorite places, reminding me that “home is not a place, but a feeling.”
Thank you, John, for this challenge. It reminded me once again to be grateful for what I have. Please link them to his original post here and use the Lens-Artists Tag so we can find you. Thanks also to Anne for last week’s “abandoned” challenge and to everyone who responded. I’m not sure why we are drawn to such things, but as long as they are around, we’ll keep capturing them.
I often dedicate countless hours to editing photos from the numerous places we’ve traveled to over the years. While I may not physically venture out, I immerse myself in the editing process, often losing track of time in front of my computer screen as I reminisce about those experiences. Which also is calming.
Finally, we hope you’ll join us next week when Sofia leads us once again on her beautiful Photographias site. Until then keep on smiling☺It might be someone’s highlight of the day.
MOnday Window – DESIGN YOUR OWN.
I saved this image from my last Lens Artists post for this week’s Monday Window
A vibrant shop window display featuring the name ‘DRM-LND’ in playful lettering, with a neon sign that reads ‘DESIGN YOUR OWN.’ The window showcases colorful merchandise, including bags and figurines and, with young shoppers inside..
Books are good for you
Art hall ⬜ square
Have posted this image before, but it is so suitable for this so I cropped it into a square
Nature’s triangle
Snowy Outings
I spent yesterday totally unplugged from the computer, taking a well-deserved break, and ended up going to see a friend on the wrong day. Even though it was a bit of a hassle, I trudged through a snow blizzard, battling the fluffy chaos, only to realize I showed up two days early for our hangout. Not exactly thrilled about digging my car out from under all that snow twice, but hey, we made the best of it and had a good chat, catching up and cracking jokes. Later that evening, we went with my husband to check out the comedian Russell Howard at the House of Culture in Helsinki, which was super exciting. The cherry on top? We ran into some other friends there by total coincidence, which made the night even cooler. Overall, it was a pretty great night, full of unexpected surprises and good vibes. Good night, all in all!
I didn’t get any great photos yesterday, but since this is a photography blog, I guess I should share some moments from my day, even if they’re not ideal. So, I’m throwing in what I think/ know are some bad shots from tonight. I snagged one pic from the gig that didn’t turn out at all, but it still reminds me of the awesome energy and buzz from the moment. Plus, I snapped a few more shots while driving home from a moving car. The snow that had covered everything earlier in the day had stopped falling, and the snowplows had done their job clearing the roads, making our drive a little smoother. Even if the photos aren’t perfect, they definitely capture the vibe of my evening journey back home.
From Blue Moment to sunset
Just now I went to my front door and back to my patio in the backyard to capture these stunning pink clouds of blue moment and sunset. The sky was painted with hues that can only be described as pink .-), transforming the ordinary evening into pastel beauty. I shot them on my iPhone, which is always handy for such spontaneous moments, as seeing the sunset . As I stood there the chill of winter slightly bit my hands and feet as I did not put my winter jacket on, or shoes. these colorful skies pass so quickly, views now saved on my device, I am linking it to John’s Cellpic Sunday to share the beauty that can be found in everyday moments.
Dusk
No explanation other than sharing a photo from a lovely moment captured and not shared before. Have a great friday.
Square after square
Reeds and Riverside Charm
Snowy reeds stand tall and proud in the frosty winter day, their delicate strands shimmering as they catch the soft light of the pale sun. The biting cold fills the air, crisp atmosphere. Each reed, encased in frost, depicts a picturesque scene in the quiet beauty of nature in its peaceful winter slumber.
Doors from from the late Middle Ages
Linked to Dans’ Thursday doors
The four-meter-high door leading from the armory to the church hall is the most magnificent of all surviving from the late Middle Ages. The series of images on the door depicts Hubertus’ hunting trip, during which Christ appeared to him in the form of a stag. This vision made him turn around and carry the message of Christianity forward. The wrought-iron door panels of the south portal leading from the armory to the church hall are the finest in Finland.
Hollola is the oldest parish in eastern Häme and was probably founded in the second half of the 13th century. Of the church’s construction phases dating back to the 15th century, the sacristy is older than the main church. The church itself and its vaulting belong to the construction phase that is dated to have taken place between 1475 and 1485.
Monochrome winter
Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Playground
Linked to Becky’s GeometricJanuary
One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge-January 2025
Brian recommended this challenge to me, so now I spent few moments playing with my image, during that the time the sunset. Time well spent 🙂 I don’t know, but it is creative fun.
I started with this image I took at Hollola Church – it is rather bland image the light in the window is too strong. Obviously the first would be to convert to B&W and play with contrast and light. It goes without saying that I have adjusted the photo vertically.
The next step is to play with the colors version. I did make it pop 🙂
Then I switched to PhotoShop and added texture to it 🙂
I would not be me if I didn’t have one more to share , playing first in Lightroom with the colors and light, then again switched to PhotoShop to add texture. Blues of the evening…
Joining in to One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge-January 2025
Round car lights
Becky’s Geometric January
the snow covered birch tree branches
Creativity and editing
I have often expressed that I enjoy editing photos, even though I tend to post mainly realistic images, having them look like I saw them. On that note, all of my images have been edited, mostly I adjust the light and contrast—highlights and shadows—to enhance the overall feel of the photograph. Contrast plays a crucial role in making certain elements stand out and giving depth to the image. I do it so that it reflects the image I saw in my mind’s eye—hence the title; the world as I see it. Photography, for me, is not just about capturing moments but also about expressing my unique perspective and interpretation of the scenes before me, allowing viewers to experience the beauty and intricacies that I wished to convey. Through careful editing, I strive to invite others into my vision, ensuring that they appreciate the subtleties that might go unnoticed in a more straightforward representation.
I am going to start editing cityscapes, buildings, and industrial places in a more creative way. For a long time, I have wanted to venture towards this direction, and now I am excited to explore various artistic approaches that can bring a fresh perspective to my work. I plan to experiment with techniques such as dramatic lighting, unique angles, and vibrant color palettes to enhance the visual appeal of my photographs. By prioritizing these innovative methods in my editing process, I hope to creatively showcase buildings and cityscapes, transforming my photographs into something more artsy and captivating.
I am going to explore various angles to highlight architectural details. Finding unique vantage points can elevate the way buildings are presented in your images. Adjusting contrast can enhance the structural elements of buildings, making them stand out.
Vintage or black-and-white filters can transform standard images into stunning artistic representations.
Use color grading to enrich urban atmospheres.. Pay attention to the distinct textures found in urban environments, such as brickwork or glass in post-processing to create depth and interest in your cityscape photos. Play with the color tones in the image.
Use filters to create effects that align with the character of buildings and cityscapes.
I would appreciate if you would like to comment 🙂
The Warm Glow of Lights Across the Road
Watching the lights across the road, the kelvins seem to be low as all the windows glow in a warm yellow color, casting an inviting aura that contrasts sharply with the icy chill outside. The atmosphere feels cosy, as if the world is wrapped in a gentle embrace of light, creating a sanctuary amid the frosty scenery. Even though the wind blows snow sideways outside the building, the warmth emanating from the interiors provides a sense of comfort and peace.
Unpredictable Winter Weather in Finland
Weather is always a fascinating topic in Finland, as it is often unpredictable and has a significant impact on daily life. Always safe. Today, for example, we have experienced a mix of snow, slush, and drizzle coming down on us, creating a rather dreary yet quintessentially Finnish atmosphere. Even with the gray sky looming overhead, which is certainly not a pleasant sight, the temperature remains relatively mild for winter standards at +1.4°C. but it does little to brighten the overall mood on such a gloomy day. This warmth is not the best temperature in winter; I think I prefer something between -3°C and -5°C, with no wind.
Just the other day, the wind blew wildly, causing slush to accumulate on the windows facing east and west, painting a messy but intriguing picture of the weather’s influence on our surroundings. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to capture this moment, and so I took several photos of the slushy windows, hoping to convey the unique elegance of Finland’s winter weather, even when it is less than ideal.
Stone and Iron squares
Fence me in
Capturing Geometry in Ordinary Moments
It is dark outside, and the quiet of the night envelops everything in a serene way I am ready to go to bed. In contrast, there is a soft light in the corridor, the wall are covered with bookshelves . The windows, covered with blinds, create a captivating pattern of lines, casting shadows. In – and outside is mixed the reflection on the window. The light of the seasonal light in my backyard snow in yellow glow.
I took these snapshots with my iPhone, and while the quality isn’t the best, they capture the essence of geometric square. My intention is to embrace the challenge of using new photos, to draw inspiration from the ordinary. I don’t think I will succeed in it completely, but I am committed to doing my best, knowing that every effort counts.
Posted as part of Becky’s Geometric January
Minimalist take on Birds and Trees
I was watching birds flying around on a cold day, and they kept returning to this tree, which stood majestically against the winter sky. The branches were covered with snow, creating a beautiful contrast with the winter colors of the birds as they flittered about. The tree was so far away that I was not able to get a good shot, which left me feeling a bit frustrated. Despite the distance, I did my best to capture the colors and clarity to a presentable level, but the quality was not quite on par with the stunning visuals I had hoped for.
Then I started playing with the Lightroom editing, experimenting with various effects, I did not use filters, and I ended up with these unexpected results that brought new life to my photos. I rather like them, as they reflect not just the scene but also the mood of that chilly day and the serene beauty of nature in a very minimalist way and monotone colors.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 